Question:
Has anyone had to choose between the Lap-Band or Bypass? Why did you choose and why
— mfaulkner (posted on February 19, 2010)
February 19, 2010
i chose the bypass because of health reasons. the sucess rate for the
bypass was far greater in resolving diabetes than other options. 3 days
after the operation i quit taken insulin shots, i also quit taking the
multitude of pills i was taking for my diabetes. i still take 1 pill daily
for high blood pressure and 1 for high cloestal. i pleased with the
operation i had.
— Gary123
February 19, 2010
My surgeon said either would be a good choice for me. He also mentioned
that the band is only good for 10-15 years and would have to be
replaced/removed sometime in that time span. The research also shows faster
weight loss and a higher % of excess weight loss with RNY. Also, I was
afraid that without the possibility of dumping syndrome, which you dont
have with the band, I would have a hard time relying on willpower to stay
away from the sweets and fattening foods.
— CAnutfarmer
February 19, 2010
My surgury is coming up in 20 days. I chose the lapband mostly because my
insurance will pay 100%, but won't pay for any other WLS. For awhile I
mentally held out trying to figure out how I could appeal to get them to
pay for RNY, but now that surgery is almost here, I am much more
comfortable with my choice. Much of my research shows that total excess
weight loss virtually equals out at about 3 year mark when you look at
lapband vs. RNY. Some data and folks here say that because you lost slower
with lapband that the skin tones up a little better that with the quicker
weight loss that can happen with RNY
Also, for me the idea of having part of my internal organs removed and
rearranged REALLY scares me because there isn't much going back if all
fails. It's a big debate here from what I have seen and a tough personal
decision for many.
Also, I want to add that much of what is above is my opinion and result of
what I have read. Others may have different views. Good luck!
— Libby R.
February 19, 2010
oops..18 days. sorry I can't count I guess.
— Libby R.
February 19, 2010
hello, i chose the lapband because i wanted to have more kids . it would
help me not gain lots of weight during pregnace. they would fill it back up
when i have the baby so i can go back on my adventure of lossing the
weight. also i did not want to have a lot of loose skin really fast,so u do
lose slowly but its better then dropping 20 ponds in one month and have acc
skin buy the time u reach 1 year after surgery. thats my oppinian. every
one has their own . and the lap band is more less high risk in alot of
thing. i got my surgury on october i lost 36 ponds ,and i feel so much
better and healther and more to come .if you have any Q email me at
[email protected] love you guysssssssssssssssssssssssssss
— sunrise78
February 19, 2010
I was the one who asked my surgeon which procedure he believes is the right
one for ME. He stated the RNY because it will be the one that I will have
the most success with for my size & situations. Best to ask your
surgeon, they are the one who will know better than anyone else if you do
not know which to chose. Good luck.
— SPIRIT2002
February 20, 2010
I had RNY because I needed something to disipline me, besides me. Lapband,
for me, was only a passing thought when I saw that you need to go back to
the dr so many times and weight loss was slower and it isn't as successful
in this country because of how we Americans eat. Austrailians do great with
it I guess. I needed something to tell me ..You can't eat more, you will
get sick if you eat this" etc. I do know people who have had babies
after having RNY and have done well. One girl in particular is almost to
goal weight now.She is literally about 20 lbs away.. She will be 2 yrs post
op in March and had a baby last August. Yes she was about 9 months post op
when she got pregnant. They are all doing just fine. Tho I would recommend
waiting the full year as the doctors recommend this.
But I am very happy with my decision to go the Bypass route. I eat 4 ounces
a meal 4-5 times a day. And I met goal in about 10 months.I have been
maintaining for about 11 months. I do not have lots of hanging skin, but I
do have some. However I am 45 and didn't think I would go back to
"normal" as I am older with less elasticity to my skin. I was
never one for good skin. While pregnant I got lots of stretch marks, so I
knew I would have skin issues. But I don't mind what I have, it isn't in
excess. I lost a total of 120 lbs and weight about the same, 120. So I lost
half my weight. I cannot tell you which to choose for you, you know
yourself. And, How much you need to lose, whether or not you are inclined
to "cheat" and what is best for you. I am happy with my choice
and you need to be happy with yours. Congrats on starting this journey and
I send you good thoughts and wishes to make the best decision for yourself.
Hugs n God Bless, Kim
— gpcmist
February 20, 2010
I chose RNY because with the lap band I would still be able to eat any
foods, just less. Which meant I would still be able to eat chocolate,
cookies, ice cream, etc. With RNY you must limit your sugar intake or
you'll get dumping syndrome. It has given me the willpower I was unable to
muster up on my own. I have lost 44 lbs in 10 weeks and am very happy with
my decision.
— Cynthia T.
February 20, 2010
I CHOSE THE BYPASS SURGERY FOR TWO REASONS . ONE OHIP OUR CANADIAN
MEDICAL WOULD ONLY PAY FOR BYPASS SURGERY . TWO MY MY SURGEON DR. KEITH
MARSHALL RECOMENDED BYPASS SURGERY AS BEING MORE SFFECTIVE . NOW THERE'S
THE OPTION OF HAVING THE SLEEVE SURGERY . I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER OPTION
YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO ............ROGER
— ROGER COTE
February 20, 2010
A lot of us have had to choose. I chose the Bypass because it is much more
efficient, and it had to work or I was going to die. I don't regret a
thing. I might be a little uncomfortable sometime when I eat wrong, but I
was uncomfortable before with GERD, sleep apnea, extreme diabetes, acid
indigestion, stomach and bowel distress, fat person syndrome, shortness of
breath, inability to function, exercise or work, inability to find clothes
to fit, and most of all, feeling and looking like a blob, a freak.
So I didn't take any chances, believed the statistics and chose to have the
RNY and have no regrets that I did.
Good luck whatever your choice might be.
— Dusty Ray Vaughn
February 20, 2010
I chose the lap band, my dr felt like it would be fine for me, I had
surgery Dec 24,09 and Iv'e lost a total of 42 lbs including my 7 day preop
diet. I'm very happy with my decision, I feel like a new person and have
not had any complications + my insurance would not pay for the bypass
because I have Lupus, I really don't know why the differenc in the
insurance with that disease. Good Luck I'm sure you'll make the right
decision. thelma
— T R.
February 20, 2010
Bypass is the best of all!!! I have seen so many people be successful with
bypass including myself. I think it is a miracle that the doctors can do
it. The lapband has had disastrous results. My friend almost died of
infection and has been hospitalized 3 times in less than 6 months near
death with internal infection. Nothing to do with keeping the port or
"hole" clean on outside it was internal infection that was trying
to kill her. Once you get internal infection very hard almost impossible to
get rid of. While waiting to be seen by WLS doc, everytime people are
talking about this same subject. Lapband vs bypass and always the favorite
it bypass. The final thought that came to me was if I am going to have
surgery and go through all that then I want the best procedure that I will
loss weight and gain the most potential benefits from. Within 1 year of my
bypass, I lost almost 200 lbs. Yes, that much and have almost reached my
goal from 400 lbs. I would have never, ever been able to do that with the
lapband. All the extra steps you have to go through with the lapband makes
my head spin, ie, worrying about fills, or band slipping or all the other
things that can go wrong with the band, being away from home and needed
attn from a WLS doc, what to do??? Another consideration it is in you for
life. Insurance will pay to put it in but will "NOT" pay to take
it out. A lot of people think if they don't like it they can get it out. No
you can't unless extreme measures have happened and you almost die then
insurance will take out. I chose bypass and so happy and thrilled, only
thing is I wish I had it done sooner. Good Luck on your choice! Skinny in
FL. lol
— Tina B.
February 20, 2010
Tina...With all due respect, you are very misinformed about Lap-Band. I
researched both procedures extensively prior to embarking on this journey
and all considered....I chose Lap-Band. A couple of reasons made my choice
simple. First, I have known people who have had bypass and they are a
mess. True they lost a ton of weight super fast...but some they never
conquered what made them obese in the first place...lifestyle and mindset.
The second (and probably the most important)factor in my decision was that
your innards are altered significantly with bypass. Irreversibly altered.
Lap-band is completely reversible should that ever be necessary or desired.
Let's face it folks, there are no miracles out there. If you want to be
successful post any RLS surgery, you need to be of sound mind and committed
to make a change. I got the Lap-Band on Jan 19th and have no regrets. I
went back to work 5 days afterward and I fell great! In only a months
time, I have shed nearly 20 pounds. As others have said, pick the best
surgery for you and as recommended by a professional. And once you commit
and have your procedure, stick to the plan. Good luck!
— TahuyaDan
February 23, 2010
I choose the Lap-Band. I only have 100 lbs to lose. My son had his
surgery on 10/20/09 and he's lost about 90 lbs. It's all a matter of
discipline. The band is a tool. I feel comfortable with my decision and
I've been approved by my insurance company. I'm waiting for my surgery
date. Best wishes to you.
— jackmom1484
February 23, 2010
I chose Lap band because I did not want to go through all the post surgery
stuff. And it kind of weirded me out with all rerouting they do. I had my
Lap Band surgery four months ago and have lost 100 lbs. All this talk from
Bypassers about how dangerous or how much faster you can lose with bypass
is bunk. Lap Band has worked for me and I am glad I did it. Nothing wrong
with bypass, my mother had it, but the hard core surgery and the recovery
for it turned me off.
— postalmoose
February 23, 2010
I went to my doctors seminar planning on the lapband and left knowing that
the RNY was for me. My whole reason for doing this was my health and RNY
gave me the best option for resolving my diabetes and high blood pressure.
I left the hospital with both resolved and no medication. The surgery has
been a godsend. I am 6 weeks out and have not weighed this little since
the early 1990s. From taking at least 10 pills (medicines) each day to
rarely taking a pill except for a migraine (which was almost daily prior to
surgery). Good luck
— tlscannell
February 23, 2010
I had a DS. The deciding factor was the recomendation of the doctors
involved. They said that since I had so much weight to lose (100+) and I
had a history of behavioral issuses, (screwing myself up) the lap band
might not be the best choice. Surgeon said he'd refer me to his partner,
who did them (they specalized and divided up the ops) but he thought i'd be
happier with rapid weight loss of DS and that I'd come thru the operation
in one piece.
Psyciatrist felt that the Lap-band offered too many oppertunites for me to
screw up. PCP wanted the weight off NOW!!!.
I am 13 months post surg and down about 125 pounds. Am still losing
slowly. Am happy with my decision.
— lucyfur
February 24, 2010
My health issues were resolved within a month of having my RNY, my surgeon
also said that he stopped doing lap band since the success rate was
considerably lower than with the bypass. I wanted a surgery that would
work, not maybe work! I'm not saying that the Lapband doesn't work for
everyone, but I know too many people that have it that say they wish they
would have gotten the bypass instead.
— eyeflirt4fun
February 24, 2010
I am a lightweight, but I choose bypass. One of the side effects with
lapbad was that you vomit and the band can slip up your esophegus. Ow and
no thank you. I didn't like the idea of a foreign object in my body, Also
the lap band actually has more deit restrictions that are up to you for it
to work properly. With bypass the dumping syndrome can really help you cut
out unhealthy foods from your diet that you would still eat with lapband.
Just go for it!
— lynnredboy
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